The 2026 Perseid meteor shower peaks Aug 12-13 under a new moon. Learn best viewing times, where to look, and tips for seeing up to 100 meteors per hour.
One of the year's most anticipated astronomical events is back. The Perseid meteor shower, active from July 17 through August 24, 2026, is set to deliver a spectacular show, especially during its peak overnight on August 12–13. This year, skywatchers are in for a treat: the peak coincides with a new moon, creating the darkest possible skies and making even faint meteors visible. Under clear, dark skies, observers could see up to 100 meteors per hour, along with bright fireballs.
The annual shower occurs when Earth passes through a trail of debris left behind by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle. As these tiny particles—roughly the size of a grain of sand—vaporize in the atmosphere, they create visible streaks of light. The Perseids are known for producing bright, fast-moving meteors and fireballs, making them one of the brightest, fastest, and most active meteor showers of the year.
The shower runs from July 17 to August 24, but the best viewing is expected during the peak from August 12 into August 13. The peak comes just hours after a total solar eclipse visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland, and Spain, with a partial eclipse visible across portions of Europe and parts of North America, including some areas in the U.S. and Canada. While the eclipse and meteor shower are separate events, the dark skies from the new moon will enhance meteor visibility.
Meteors are easiest to spot in the northern hemisphere between midnight and an hour before sunrise. The radiant—the point from which meteors appear to originate—is located close to the red supergiant star Eta Persei in the constellation Perseus. However, meteors can be seen across much of the night sky, so you don't need to stare directly at the radiant.
You don't need binoculars or a telescope. The key is to find a dark location away from light pollution, with a wide, unobstructed view of the sky. Give your eyes up to 15 minutes to adapt to the lower light. The further you are from city lights, the better your chances of seeing the meteors. Cloud cover will also affect visibility, so check local forecasts before heading out.
This year's display is expected to be one of the best in years, a stark contrast to last year when moonlight drowned out all but the brightest shooting stars. According to the American Meteor Society, up to 100 shooting stars may be seen each hour during the peak. Some sources suggest up to 150 meteors per hour are possible under ideal conditions.
The combination of a new moon and the shower's peak creates ideal viewing conditions. The Perseids are already known for their bright, fast meteors and fireballs, and the dark skies will make even the smallest meteors easier to spot. For those in the northern hemisphere, this is a prime opportunity to witness one of nature's most reliable and dazzling displays.
If you're planning a trip to catch the Perseids, consider combining it with the partial solar eclipse visible from parts of North America and Europe. While the odds of seeing a meteor during the eclipse are low, the two events occurring on the same day make for a memorable astronomical double-header.
Mark your calendars for August 12–13, find a dark spot, and look up. The Perseid meteor shower is a reminder of the beauty and wonder of our solar system—and this year, the conditions couldn't be better.
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